Heaven on earth

After leaving the mist shrouded Summer Palace behind I took the subway south to Tian Tan and was amazed to emerge into bright sunlight and blue skies. I’m not sure quite what happened when I was underground but I couldn’t fail to be delighted by the change in conditions.

I headed into the park armed with a through ticket for the Temple of Heaven which would give me admission to the key sites of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar. All around ordinary members of the public in the park went about their daily exercises completely unphased by the incredible buildings around them, but then again I walk past Tower Bridge on my commute every day and probably take it just as much for granted!

The Temple of Heaven

All the sights in the complex were visually stunning, although you can’t actually enter the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests itself – all you can do is work your way through the crowds and peer into the gloom. It’s strangely like sightseeing during rush hour! Anyway, I managed to make it through the complex and finally left the park as the sun began to set.